Safe.



- PATBNTBD MAR 24 1903.

W. P. MOKENNA.

SAFE.

` APPLICATION FILED DEO- 13'. 1901. I0 MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.y

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PATENTED MAR. 24, 1903, W. P. MOKENNA.

SAFE.

APPLIUATION FILED DBO. 1a. 1901.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

NO MODEL.

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WILLIAM P. MCKENNA, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

SAFE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 723,714, dated March 24., 1903.

Application filed DecemherlS. 1901. Serial No. 85,820. (No model.)

To all whom, t may concern.-

Beit known that I, WILLIAM P. MCKENNA, a subject of the King of Great Britain, and a resident of the city of New York, borough of Manhattan, in the county and State of New York,haveinvented a new and Im proved Safe, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to a fire and burglar proof safe, the most distinguishing feature of which is the arrangement of the door or doors, which are mounted on balanced bearings and swing in the arc of a circle to cover or uncover the opening or openings in the exterior wall of the safe. Inside of the safe is arranged a drum which is adapted to contain the valuables stored in the safe and which is mounted to rotate around an axis preferably'coincident with that of the movement of the safe door or doors.

`rlh'is specification is a specific description of one form of the invention, While the clailns are deiinitions of the actual scope thereof.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a section on the line 1 1 of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1, the interior drum being omitted from the view. Fig. 4 is a section similar to Fig. 2, exceptingthat the drum is omitted from Fig. 4. Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a partial axial section illustrating the drum; and Fig. 7 is a detail view of the dog which acts to hold theinner drum and doors, as willV be described'hereinafter. l

10 indicates the base of the de`vice,on which .is mounted the safe proper, so that it may be adjusted in the usual'manner. The exterior form of the safe is circular, with flattened sides, indicated at 11. Around the periphery of the safe is formed an annular enlargement 12, which increases the interior capacity of the safe by the formation of an annular interior compartment 12, lying outside of the main interior part of the safe. In this annular extension-compartment 2 are arranged two doors 14.

12b indicates the door-openings, which are formed in the periphery of the safe at opposite sides and pass through the annular en largement l2. According to the construction here shown (and this construction I prefer to employ) the safe is formed with two diametrically opposite door-openings and two doors, these doors beingy connected together by beams 15, which are mounted to swing around .the axial shaft 16-that is, the doors counas best shown in Fig. 3, they are interengaged with arc-shaped beads side and at the inner edges of the interior enlargement 12a. the lower side of one door-opening 12b upward around the top of the safe and down to the lower side of the lower door-opening, the space between the lower sides of the two dooropenings being formed without the beads, so as to facilitate entering the doors into the safe.

There are two beams 15, as best shown in Figs. 2 and 3, these beams'being mounted on the axial shaft 16 by any suitable antifrictiondevices, so as to exactly balance the doors. Now it is clear that the doors maybe readily moved around the axis of the shaft 16, so as to cover or uncover the openings 12b. It will also be obvious that these doors when closed form a most effective resistance to the fracture of the safe. In order to batter in one door, the beads 12c must be broken away from the safe-walls. Then the shaft 16 must be broken out from its seat, and, still further, the other door must be broken through the outer walls of the safe. It is obvious that with this arrangement it is practically impossible to break in the doors. The shaft 16 may be placed in position according to any method desired.V I prefer, however, to form its ends square and to cast it with the walls of the safe. Concerning the annular enlargement 12, which forms the interior extension 12a, it will be observed that this provides a space through which the doors may swing in their peculiar manner Without 2c, formed at each These beads-12c extend from f IOC diminishing the interior capacity of the safe as measured from the side walls 11. This produces a strong construction and at the same time saves material in the formation of the safe, as will be Obvious.

'lhe two beams 15 are arranged one at each side of the safe and have their ends turned inward, as illustrated best in Figs. 3 and 4, to form transverse extensions 15. These extensions are fastened, respectively, to the inner sides of the doors 1-/1 in any suitable manner. They are preferably let into the surface of the doors. From the extensions 15a of the beams 15 pass circumferential bars or strips 15, these extending upward and downward. The purpose of these bars 011 strips 15" is to carry the lock mechanism, which of course is subject to various changes in one way or another, adapting it to the different classes of work to which the safe will be put. This mechanism is here illustrated in its most conventional form-that is to say, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4 the upwardlyextending bars 15b have a cross-bar 17 fastened thereto, and this cross-bar carries the lock mechanism le'. The bolts of the lock mechanism are indicated by the dotted lines 1S in Fig. 4 and are designed inthis particular instance to project laterally into engagement with the ribs or beads 12C.

Asa further means of lockingthedoors and also asa means of holding them in open position dogs or catches may be employed at one point or another. In the drawings I have illustrated examples of these arrangements. Concerning the means for holding the doors open, I will explain that as soon as the doors are counterbalanced and are frict-ion-tightin their bearings there is little liability that any one of them will move from the bearings in which it is put; but it is well to provide the catches as an additional security.

In Fig. l, 1f) indicates the dog. This dog is arranged adjacent to the upper end of the left-hand opening and is essentially a part of the annular bead 12C-that is to say, when the dog is closed it lies in an oritice in the bead and formsacontinuation thereof. The dog swings outwardly, (to the left in Fig. 1,) so that when the adjacent door has been raised clear of the dog and the dog thrown outward it then lies in the path of the door when returning and will of course prevent the dropping of the door. One dog 19 is drum, as will be fully described hereinafter. The dog 20, like the dog 19, when in closed position forms a true continuation ofthe bead 12C, and when thrown inward outof line with the bead, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, it engages an extension 15 of the beam l5, thus preventing the downward movement of the immediately adjacent door and the consequent u pward movement ofthe opposite door. The locking mechanism 1S will prevent the upward movement of the door adjacent to the dog 20. Assuming that this lock 1S is a timelock arranged to release at a certain time, the left-hand door may then be moved upward freely. NVhen, however, the lock 18 is in action, it will hold the doors against movement in either direction and the dog 20 will hold the doors against movementin one direction. As explained with respect to the dog 19, I do not wish to limit myself to the location or form of the dog 20, and also, as shown in Fig. 3, I preferably provide two dogs 2O at each side of the safe. Y

The interior drum, which forms, in fact, the safe proper, in which the contents of the safe are stored, may be of any special construction desired. It is provided on its outer periphery with doors 2l, which are hinged to swing into open position, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1, provided each with a permutation or other form of lock mechans ism 22. Interiorly the drum may be divided into compartments, as desired. The drum has a cylindrical hub 23, inclosing the axial shaft 1b and forming an air-space between the hub and axle, which air-space is in communication with the outside of the drum by means oforifices 24. (Illustrated best in Figs. 5 and 6) The side walls of the drum are spaced from the inner sides ll of the safe to provide room for the beams l5 and also to provide a free air-circulation space, which will prevent the safe from becoming overheated.

25 indicates a cup or cavity which is formed in the lower part ot' the safe and communicates with the interior thereof. This cup or cavity is designed to receive alum or other like substance capable of giving off, when heated, a damp vapor. Should the safe be in a burning building, the alum as it becomes hot will form a sort of steam which will pervade the interior of the safe and prevent the burning` of the papers and other contents. The rotary drum is formed in sections and is mounted on the shaft 16 by means of inwardly-extending flanges 26, (see Figs. 5 and 6,) these flanges setting in grooves 16" in the shaft 16, so as to prevent sidewise movement of the drum. The drum may be made up of various latninations of iireproof material, as indicated in Figs. 5 and 6, so as tothoroughly protect the contents of the drum. I will not describe the detail structure of the drum any further, excepting the annularbeads .27,Which extend around its periphery and carry each, as shown in Fig. 7, a spring-latch 28. These latches coact with extensions 29 of the dogs 2O and serve to connect the rotary drum with the rigid walls of the safe. The purpose of IIO IZO

these devices is to hold the drum from idle movement after the safe is closed. When the left-hand door in Fig. 1 is thrown upward, the person operating the safe may then readily grasp the finger-pieces of the latches 28 and disengage these latches from the exten- -sions 29 of the dogs 20. This releases the drum and allows it to be rotated to bring any desired door of the drum opposite the dooropening in the outer walls of the safe.

The assemblage of the parts of the safe will be readilyA understood by persons skilled in the art. It is only necessaryi that when the doors are to be placed in position they be moved in through their openings and placed rst in the bottom of the safe at the point where the beads 12c are omitted. The first door is then connected with the beams 15 and it is moved around to the top of the safe, and the second door is introduced in the same manner and fastened to the beams.

The various uses and advantages of this invention will be apparent to safe manufacturers and experts. It may be used in every connection that such safes have been previously employed, and aside from the advantages of its interior arrangement it will be observed that the safe is practically indestructible either by fire or breakage.

Various changes in the form and details of my invention may be resorted to at will without departing from the spirit of my invention. Hence I consider myself entitled to all forms of the invention as may lie within the intent of my claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. A safe having a door-opening, a horizontal shaft extending through the safe, a doorsupport mounted to turn on the shaft, and an arc-shaped door carried at the end of the support to move over the door-opening.

2. A safe, having door-openings on opposite sides thereof, doors sliding toward and from the openings to cover or uncover the same, .and connections between the doors to cause them to move in unison, and also tov cause the one to counterbalance the other.

3. A safe, having door-openings on opposite sides thereof, arc-shaped doors mounted to turn about a horizontal axis to cover or uncover the openings, and a connection between the doors to counterbalance them and to cause them to move in unison.

4. A safe, having circular main Walls with a door-opening therein, an axial shaft in the safe, a beam swinging on the shaft, anda door sliding to cover or uncover the opening, the door having connection with the beam.

5. Asafe, having circular main walls with a door-opening therein, an axial shaft in the safe, a beam swinging on the shaft, a door sliding to cover or uncover the opening, the door having connection with the beam, and a member connected with the opposite end of the beam to form a counterbalance.

6. A safe, having a circular exterior wall with opposite dooropenings therein, arcshaped doors moving to cover or uncover the openings, an axial shaft, and a beam turning on said shaft and having its ends respectively connected with the doors.

7. `A circular safe, having a door-opening therein, an arc-shaped door sliding in an arcshaped path to cover or unc'over the opening, an axial shaft, a connection between the shaft and door, said connection swinging on the shaft, and a drum within the safe, the drum'v turning around the shaft.

8. A circular safe, having an annular enlargement forming an annular interior extension, a door-openingin said enlargement, and a door carried in said annular extension and movable in an arc-shaped path to cover or uncover the opening.

9. A circular safe, having an annular enlargement extending around it,said enlargeand a rotary drum within the safe, said dogy having an extension engagea-ble with the drum to hold the door and drum stationary.

12. A safe, having a door-opening, a door sliding t-o cover or uncover the opening, a rotary drum mounted in the safe,.and a twopart dog, one part'of which is engageable with a part of the door, to prevent move- IOO ment thereof, and the other part of which is engageable with the drum.

13. A safe, having a door-opening therein,

a door commanding the opening, a rotaryv drum mounted in the safe, and a plurality of doors for the drum, said doors swinging on horizontal axes and being movable through the door-openings of the outer wall of the safe to open the interior drum.

14. A safe, having a door-opening therein, a door sliding to cover and uncover the opening, a swinging beam on which the door is carried, such beam having an extension, and

a cross-piece connected with the extension and adapted to carry the lock mechanism.l

15. A safe, having a circular exterior wall with opposite door-openings in the periphery thereof, arc-shaped doors moving in circular paths to cover and uncover the openings, a central shaft, a beam intermediately pivoted on the shaft and having its ends connected with the doors, whereby to mount the doors in the manner explained, and a rotary drum located in the safe and swinging around said central shaft.

IIO

16. A safe circular in form with fiattened sides and provided with oppositely-arranged door-openings, arc-shaped sliding doors for closing said openings, connections between the doors to cause them to move in unison, and a rotary drum mounted in the safe on a horizontal axis, as set forth.

17. A safe circular in form with fiattened sides and provided with oppositely-arrauged door-openings, and with a horizontal shaft, arc-shaped doors for closing said door-openings, beams mounted to swing around said shaft and having their ends secured to the doors, and a drum mounted on the said shaft, as set forth.

18. A safe having a central shaft, and a revoluble compartment-drum mounted on the shaft and havinga cylindrical hub inclosing the shaft and spaced therefrom to form an airspace Which is in communication with the body of the safe, as set forth.

19. A safe circular in form With flattened sides and provided with oppositely-arranged door-openings and with a horizontal shaft, aro-shaped doors for closing said door-openings, beams mounted to swing on the shaft and having their ends secured to the doors, and a compartment-drum mounted on the shaft between the beams, said drum having a hub inclosing the shaft and spaced therefrom, as set forth.

20. A safe circular in form with fiattened sides and provided with a door-opening in one of its curved walls, and an arc-shaped door mounted on balanced bearings and slidinglin guideways in the curved Walls of the safe and adapted to cover and uncover said door-opening, as set forth.

21. A safe having a shaft extending between tWo opposing walls, the ends of the shaft being east in the wallsof the safe, as set forth.

22. A safe circular in form with attened sides and provided with a horizontal shaft having its ends rigidly secured to the inner faces of the attened sides of the safe, as set forth.

23. A safe having a door-opening, an arcshaped door mounted to slide in correspondingly-shaped guideways, a horizontal shaft having its ends rigidly secured to the inner faces of two opposing walls,and beams mounted to turn on the shaft, one at each end thereof, and having their ends rigidly secured to the door, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM P. MCKENNA.

Witnesses:

I. B. OWENS, JNO. M. RITTER. 

